TL;DR — 3 things to know before buying fruit in Korea
- An apple is about ₩2,100, not ₩3,000. KAMIS, the government's farm-price service, put 10 top-grade Hongro apples at ₩21,276 (October 2026 average to date). Shine Muscat grapes have fallen to ₩11,336 per 2kg.
- Korean fruit really is expensive, but not for the reasons you often read. The Bank of Korea found apples cost about 2.8 times the OECD average in 2023. Fresh apples and pears are effectively not imported because of quarantine rules, not just tariffs.
- Compare before you assume the market is cheaper. In the 2026 Chuseok price survey by aT, fruit was cheaper at large supermarkets than at traditional markets. In October–February, Jeju tangerines (about ₩3,477 for 10) are the easy budget pick.
About the numbers: prices on this page are KAMIS national retail averages for top-grade (상품) fruit, checked on 25 October 2026. October figures are the month's average so far. What you pay depends on the shop, size and grade, so treat them as a guide, not a price list.
Why Is Fruit So Expensive in Korea?
What official reports and news coverage actually say.
01
Prices are high by international standards
A Bank of Korea analysis published in June 2024 found Korean food prices were well above the OECD average in 2023, and apples were about 2.8 times the OECD average. The bank linked high farm prices to low productivity, distribution costs and limited imports.
02
Fresh apples and pears are effectively not imported
Korea bans imports of fresh apples and pears unless a country passes a multi-step plant-quarantine risk analysis to keep out pests not found in Korea. As of 2024 reporting, no fresh apples had cleared it, so supply depends on the domestic harvest. That is why a bad growing year (as in 2023) pushes prices up sharply.
03
Imported fruit faces tariffs, but some are falling
Most bananas in Korea come from the Philippines. Under the Korea–Philippines FTA, which took effect on 31 December 2024, the 30% banana tariff is being cut by 6 percentage points a year until it reaches zero in five years.
04
Gift fruit sets the top of the market
Before Chuseok and Seollal (Lunar New Year), supermarkets sell boxed premium apples, pears and grapes as gifts. Those boxes cost far more than loose fruit of the same type, so check whether you are looking at a gift box or an everyday bag.
Price Reality Check
KAMIS national retail averages, top grade (상품). October 2026 unless noted.
| Fruit | Korean | Average price | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple (Hongro) | 사과 (홍로) | ₩21,276 per 10 (≈₩2,100 each) | Oct 2026 |
| Asian pear (Shingo) | 배 (신고) | ₩27,805 per 10 (≈₩2,800 each) | Oct 2026 |
| Sweet persimmon (Fuyu) | 단감 (부유) | ₩7,575 per 5 (≈₩1,500 each) | Oct 2026 |
| Jeju tangerine (open-field, M) | 감귤 (노지) | ₩3,477 per 10 | Oct 2026 |
| Shine Muscat grapes | 샤인머스캣 | ₩11,336 per 2kg | Oct 2026 |
| Campbell Early grapes | 포도 (캠벨얼리) | ₩7,616 per 1kg | Oct 2026 |
| Banana (imported) | 바나나 (수입) | ₩329 per 100g (≈₩3,300/kg) | Oct 2026 |
| Watermelon | 수박 | ₩23,450 each | Oct 2026 |
| Strawberries (Seolhyang) | 딸기 (설향) | ₩12,275 (Jan) → ₩5,385 (Apr) per 500g | 2026 season |
| Peach (white) | 복숭아 (백도) | ₩18,360–₩19,045 per 10 | Jul–Sep 2026 |
Shine Muscat is no longer a ₩30,000 luxury. The KAMIS October average fell from ₩21,046 per 2kg in 2023 to ₩11,336 in 2026, and Yonhap reported on 19 October 2026 that the government is promoting consumption because prices are low. Gift boxes still cost more.
Where to Buy Fruit
Each option has a trade-off. Compare the price per piece or per kg.
Large supermarkets (Emart, Lotte Mart, Homeplus)
Often cheapest for fruit
In the aT price survey taken one week before Chuseok 2026 (17 traditional markets, 36 large retailers), fruit was cheaper at large retailers. Prices are labelled and foreign cards usually work. Homeplus is in court-supervised rehabilitation and has closed stores, so check that a branch is open before you go.
Traditional markets (시장)
Small amounts, cash
Markets such as Gyeongdong Market in Seoul have many fruit stalls, and vendors often sell by the basket or bag. They are not automatically cheaper: compare with the supermarket. Bring cash, because foreign cards often fail at market stalls.
Garak Mall at Garak Market (가락몰)
Retail inside the wholesale market
Garak Market in Songpa-gu is Seoul's main wholesale produce market. Individual shoppers buy at Garak Mall, its retail building. Take Line 3 or Line 8 to Garak Market Station. Opening hours differ by store; check garak.co.kr before an early trip.
Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven)
Easiest for one person
Pre-cut fruit cups are the simplest option if you only want a snack. As an example, CU launched 170g fruit cups at ₩3,200 in March 2024; prices change. Look for 1+1 and 2+1 offers. Foreign Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted.
Delivery apps (B Mart, Coupang)
Check your account first
Baemin's B Mart and Coupang deliver groceries, including fruit. We could not confirm that B Mart takes guest orders the way Baemin restaurant delivery does, or that Coupang sign-up works with an overseas number. See our Baemin guide before relying on delivery.
Seasonal Buying Guide
In-season fruit is cheaper. These months follow the KAMIS price months for 2026.
Winter–Spring (Dec – May)
Strawberries (딸기) are greenhouse-grown and arrive in late autumn. They are priciest early in the season and cheapest in spring: ₩12,275 per 500g in January 2026 versus ₩5,385 in April.
Summer (Jun – Sep)
Watermelon (수박) and white peaches (복숭아). Peaches averaged ₩18,360–₩19,045 per 10 from July to September 2026.
Autumn (Aug – Nov)
Apples (사과), Asian pears (배), sweet persimmons (단감) and grapes, including Shine Muscat. Hongro apples come first; Fuji apples follow later in autumn.
Late autumn–Winter (Oct – Feb)
Open-field Jeju tangerines (감귤). Jeju expects the 2026 crop to be about 7.8% larger than last year, and early-season wholesale prices were lower than in 2025 (Financial News, 23 October 2026).
Budget Tips
Simple ways to pay less.
Read the unit. Korean labels often price fruit per pack, per box or per 100g. Divide by the number of pieces before comparing.
Look for 못난이 (motnani, “ugly”) fruit. Supermarkets sell cosmetically imperfect fruit in cheaper bags; Emart's online store, for example, lists “i'mperfect 못난이 사과” apples.
특가 (teukga) means special price, and 1+1 / 2+1 mean buy one or two, get one free. These are common at convenience stores and supermarkets.
Skip the gift boxes unless you want a gift. Loose fruit of the same type costs less.
Taking Fruit Home
Do not assume you can pack it.
Many countries restrict or ban fresh fruit brought in by travelers, and the rules differ by country and by fruit. Check your destination's customs or agriculture authority before packing, and declare fruit on arrival if asked. Eating it before you fly is the safe choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Bank of Korea analysis (June 2024) found apples cost about 2.8 times the OECD average in 2023 and linked high farm prices to low productivity, distribution costs and limited imports. Fresh apples and pears are effectively not imported because of quarantine rules, so prices depend on the domestic harvest and jump after a bad year.
KAMIS put 10 top-grade Hongro apples at ₩21,276 on average in October 2026, about ₩2,100 each. Lower grades and bags of imperfect apples cost less, and prices vary by shop.
Much less than before. The KAMIS October retail average for 2kg of Shine Muscat fell from ₩21,046 in 2023 to ₩11,336 in 2026. Gift boxes still cost more.
Not always. In aT's survey one week before Chuseok 2026, covering 17 traditional markets and 36 large retailers, fruit was cheaper at large retailers. Compare the price per piece or per kg, and bring cash for market stalls.
Open-field Jeju tangerines. KAMIS put 10 medium tangerines at ₩3,477 in October 2026, and the 2026 crop is forecast to be larger than last year. Sweet persimmons are another good-value autumn fruit.
Check first. Many countries restrict fresh fruit brought in by travelers, and the rules differ by country and fruit. Look up your destination's customs or agriculture rules and declare fruit on arrival if required.
Sources (checked 25 October 2026)
- KAMIS (aT) retail price by period: monthly averages for apple, pear, persimmon, tangerine, grapes, banana, watermelon, strawberry, peach — checked 2026-10-25
- Bank of Korea blog: Korean living costs vs OECD (2024-06-25)
- Seoul Ilbo: apples about 2.8 times the OECD average, citing the Bank of Korea (2024-06-19)
- Nongmin Shinmun: apple and pear imports banned under plant-quarantine rules (2024-01-16)
- Korea.kr: Philippine banana tariff removed under the Korea–Philippines FTA (2025-01-15)
- Asia Economy: aT price survey before Chuseok 2026 — fruit cheaper at large retailers (2026-09-25)
- Newsis: Homeplus sale of 67 hypermarkets after rehabilitation plan approval (2026-09-17)
- Yonhap: government promotes Shine Muscat and other low-price produce (2026-10-19)
- Financial News: Jeju open-field tangerine shipments and prices (2026-10-23)
- Visit Seoul: Garak Mall
- BGF Retail (CU): 170g fruit cups at ₩3,200 (2024-03-22)
- Emart online store: “못난이 사과” listings — checked 2026-10-25